The St. James Parish Council has served a stop notice halting
construction on sections of the 700-room RIU Hotel in Montego
Bay.
The order was presented to the developers following reports that the fourth floors of three buildings at the hotel were built without approval from the Parish Council.
Other sections were above the maximum limit stipulated for buildings within the flight path of the Sangster International Airport.
Mayor Charles Sinclair said this is a breach of the Town and Country Act.
When RJR News visited the hotel Wednesday, workmen were seen knocking down some sections of an unfinished structure which was said to be in breach.
Mayor Sinclair added that he had visited the property before and had pointed out several breaches to the developers.
The RIU Hotel is being built at Mahoe Bay which is close to the Sangster International Airport.
Mayor Sinclair said a report containing the findings of the investigations ordered by Prime Minister Bruce Golding was completed and had been sent off to him
He said Mr. Golding should receive that report by Thursday.
Surprised but will alter building plans - RIU Group
The management of the RIU Hotels and Resorts has reacted with surprise to the articles on latest development surrounding the construction of the hotel in Montego Bay.
In a release issued Wednesday afternoon, the group stated that following a site inspection with officials from National Environmental Planning Agency (NEPA) and the St. James Parish Council on Tuesday, it was confirmed that all seven buildings on site are within the permitted height of 14.89 meters.
According to the group, the three four-storey buildings at the centre of the controversy were found to have architectural decorations on top of the buildings.
The RIU officials pointed out that while the architectural decorations would not pose a threat to aircraft they will be altered to come within the maximum permitted height.
RIU maintains that during construction, the building plans had been revised, submitted and approved by the Parish Council.
But the group said in light of the controversy it will resubmit the revised plans to the Council.
The plans will then be forwarded to NEPA and other agencies.
The order was presented to the developers following reports that the fourth floors of three buildings at the hotel were built without approval from the Parish Council.
Other sections were above the maximum limit stipulated for buildings within the flight path of the Sangster International Airport.
Mayor Charles Sinclair said this is a breach of the Town and Country Act.
When RJR News visited the hotel Wednesday, workmen were seen knocking down some sections of an unfinished structure which was said to be in breach.
Mayor Sinclair added that he had visited the property before and had pointed out several breaches to the developers.
The RIU Hotel is being built at Mahoe Bay which is close to the Sangster International Airport.
Mayor Sinclair said a report containing the findings of the investigations ordered by Prime Minister Bruce Golding was completed and had been sent off to him
He said Mr. Golding should receive that report by Thursday.
Surprised but will alter building plans - RIU Group
The management of the RIU Hotels and Resorts has reacted with surprise to the articles on latest development surrounding the construction of the hotel in Montego Bay.
In a release issued Wednesday afternoon, the group stated that following a site inspection with officials from National Environmental Planning Agency (NEPA) and the St. James Parish Council on Tuesday, it was confirmed that all seven buildings on site are within the permitted height of 14.89 meters.
According to the group, the three four-storey buildings at the centre of the controversy were found to have architectural decorations on top of the buildings.
The RIU officials pointed out that while the architectural decorations would not pose a threat to aircraft they will be altered to come within the maximum permitted height.
RIU maintains that during construction, the building plans had been revised, submitted and approved by the Parish Council.
But the group said in light of the controversy it will resubmit the revised plans to the Council.
The plans will then be forwarded to NEPA and other agencies.
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